1-1-20

“When you make a promise to God,

keep it as quickly as possible.”

~Ecclesiastes 5:4 GNT~

Mrs. Barbara Gill is doing well. She’s still in Our Lady of the Lake and looking ahead to some time in rehab. Keep remembering her in your prayers, please.

Pray for Sharon Phillips. She is in St. Tammany and expecting to have pacemaker surgery tomorrow.

Your prayers for “Little Adrian” Strickland will be appreciated. He has been moved from McComb to Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. Join the family in praying for this little guy.

Elizabeth Carol New

December 21, 1945 – December 28, 2019

Elizabeth Carol New passed away on Saturday December 28, 2019 at the age of 74. She was born and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana and was a graduate of Kentwood High School class of 1963.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Lucille “Bootsie” New, and her sister and brother-in-law, Flora Lee and Jules Hatcher.

She is survived by her niece, Julee Hatcher, and her daughter and granddaughter, Madison McDonald and Lucille VanMieghem, all of Lafayette, La, as well as her nephew, Jeff Hatcher, his wife, Julia Hatcher and their children, J.C. Hatcher and Eliza Hatcher, all of Badger, Iowa.

Also left to cherish her memory is her friend, Michelle Forrest, and her children and grandchildren, without whom “Libba Carol” would have been lost. Michelle provided so much beyond just friendship and love and our family is forever grateful.

As it was her wish to be cremated, no funeral services will be planned at this time. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at a later date.

New Orleans’ Baptist Friendship House Marks 75 Years

http://www.bpnews.net/54110/new-orleans-baptist-friendship-house-marks-75-years?fbclid=IwAR2zIIRxT7vfSH4FOcCf2SehQzQN_QdK_QYCZNu_KfToH3ILJEMkclFsELg

“If you have all that you need and see someone else in need and do not reach out to them, how can the love of God be in you? Let us not love merely through words and tongue but in action and in truth,” I John 3:17-18

Today, we begin a new round of “Read Your Bible Through this Year”. It doesn’t matter whether or not you were successful in the past. I have completed a full year and failed to complete a full year. Do your best to read each day! Remember, you can get a copy of this plan when the FBC, Kentwood office opens in the morning or Sunday at regular services.

January 1

Genesis 1:1 – 2:25
Matthew 1:1 – 2: 12
Psalm 1: 1 – 6
Proverbs 1: 1-6

We don’t know what 2020 holds for us, but we do know who holds our hand as we travel through this new year. He will be 100% faithful to us! Let’s do our best to remain faithful to Him.

Anna Lee

Saturday Additions

Mrs. Barbara Gill fell requiring hip replacement surgery in Baton Rouge this morning. Please pray for her as she faces the recovery/rehab process.

Little Jules Tanksley was admitted to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Her heart seems to be fine. Pray for the doctors as they work to identify the problem. Pray for the family as they await some answers.

Elizabeth Carol New passed away this morning. There will be a memorial service for her at a later date.

Friday

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

~Luke 1:45 NIV~

Judith Webb Peterson

March 22, 1939 – December 25, 2019

A resident of Hammond, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. She was born March 22, 1939 in New Orleans, LA and was 80 years of age.
She is survived by

her husband, Johnny M. Peterson her loving husband.

She is preceded in death by

her parents, James Samuel Webb and Alice Johnston Webb; and her sisters, Constance Webb and Barbara Webb Mondello.

She is lovingly remembered by her brother James S Webb lll, his wife Trisha; her daughters Terrey B Scheuermann, husband Robert; and Sherry P Denig, husband Jeff; her sons Porter L Bentley lll, fiancé Alison Thompson,James W Bentley; John Peterson, wife Dawn; Grandchildren Anthony Miaoulis wife Tania; Crystal Bentley, Porter L Bentley lll, Jordan R Lavigne, Kelsey S May, Zachary Bentley, Seth Bentley, John Ryan Denig, Garrett Peterson and Sydney S Byrd, husband Ryan Byrd and numerous great grandchildren.

She went on to own her own business SEI in the Bahamas and was a member of Zonta International a professional organization empowering women.

Judy enjoyed her life, her family and her many friends here and in the Bahamas.

Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Amite, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Josh Milliron. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, a charity of your choice in memory of Judy W L Peterson.

Operation Christmas Child – Today, I have some of my young helpers working with me on some projects that will wind up in shoeboxes. I’m looking forward to this special time. If you or someone in your family is willing to work some, please let me know. I’ll get back with you on a date and time. I just need willing helpers.

Scripture Writing for December 27 – Phillipians 2: 5-8

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee

Christmas Addition

Jeanette Marie Anthony

June 04, 1962 – December 24, 2019

Jeanette Marie Anthony, 57, and a resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on December 24,2019. She was in her home next to her husband and best friend of 38 years, Albert. She was born on June 6, 1962 in Franklinton, LA. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and also enjoyed watching LSU football on Saturday, and the Saints on Sunday. She is survived by her husband Albert and four children. Albert Anthony (AJ), Lynn Mizell, David Anthony and wife Tiffany, and Angelia Miller and husband Adam. Her brothers Russell Mizell and wife Donna, Charles Mizell, and Salis Buster Mizell. Her mother in law Velma Anthony, sisters in law Sandra Ainsworth and Wanda Bridges, and brother in-law Wendell Anthony. She had fourteen grandchildren, Logan, Devin, Lindsey, Emma, Seth, Nick, Aaron, Lane, Kaleb, Jonathan, Levi, Lily, and Lydia. She is also survived by many cousins, nephews, and nieces as well as many other friends and family. She is preceded in death by her Mother, Lavenia Beaujeau and husband Ted, her father Marvin Mizell, her father in law William Kean Anthony and her granddaughter Angelica. Visitation will take place at Greenlaw Baptist Church, Kentwood, on Thursday December 26, 2019 from 6-10pm. Visitation will also be from 10-1 on Friday December 27, 2019 at Greenlaw Baptist Church, with funeral services to follow. Burial will take place at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Christmas Eve, 2019

“Joseph went from Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a Judean city called Bethlehem . . .

Joseph went there to register with Mary.

She had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.

While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her child.”

~Luke 2:4-6 GW~

David’s brother, Donald, has been released from the hospital for Christmas. He will be seeing an oncologist soon to learn the plan for treatment. David’s blood level was 9.8 yesterday. He got a procrit injection yesterday and will have his blood level checked again next week. We have appreciated the many prayers for David and his brother, Jimmy in 2019. Now, I ask that you keep David and Donald in your prayers.

Lora Tolar Blades

April 18, 1952 – December 22, 2019

A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Greensburg, LA. She was born April 18, 1952 in Jonesboro, LA and was 67 years of age. She is survived by daughter Stacy Wilkins and husband, Rich; son, Quincy Hodges, III and wife, Deanna; stepdaughter, Marissa Triolo and husband, Greg; son-in-law, Mark Miller; grandchildren, Quincy “PJ” Hodges IV and wife, Danielle, Kristina Wilkins, Heather Hodges, Shelby Miller, Cameron Miller, McKenna Wilkins, Alex Triolo, Jaylee Hodges, Ryan Triolo, Owen Triolo, and Riley Hodges; brothers and sisters, Linda Anderson and husband, Ben, Chris Hill and husband, Kenny, PD Tolar and wife, Donna, and Jimmie Billiot. Preceded in death by husband, Cade Blades; daughter, Dana Miller; mother, Nell Barrios; father, James Tolar; granddaughter, Jade Hodges; cousin, Becka Trosclair. Pallbearers will be Ashton Blades, Zach Johnston, Jake Johnston, Brody Johnston, Patrick Tolar and Dane Tolar. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 8:00PM on Thursday, and from 9:00AM until religious services at 10:00AM on Friday, December 27, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Larry Blades. Interment Needham Cemetery, Kentwood, LA . McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Projects – https://www.imb.org/give/projects/

Scripture Writing for December 25th – Luke 2: 17-20

Christmas Eve services will abound tonight. If you do not already have plans to attend a service, I invite you to FBC, Kentwood at 6:00 P.M. to join us in thanking God for Jesus.

Luke 24

1 Very early on the first day of the week, they went to the place where Joseph had buried Jesus. They took with them the spices that they had prepared. 2 They arrived there. They found that someone had rolled the big stone away from the hole. 3 They went inside the hole in the rock, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus there. 4 They did not understand this at all. But while they were thinking about it, two men appeared. Their clothes shone brightly like lightning. These men came and stood beside them. 5 So the women became very afraid and they went down low with their faces on the ground.

The men said to the women, ‘This is a place to bury dead people. You should not be looking here for someone who is alive. 6 Jesus is not here. He has become alive again! Remember what he said to you, while he was still with you in Galilee. 7 He said, “It is necessary that someone should give the Son of Man into the power of bad men. They will kill him on a cross. But 3 days later he will become alive again.” ’

8 Then the women remembered the words that Jesus had said in Galilee. 9 They left the hole where Jesus’ body had been. They went to the 11 apostles. They told them what had happened. They also told all the other people who were there. 10 It was Mary from Magdala, Joanna, James’ mother Mary, and other women who were with them that told the news about Jesus to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe what the women said. They thought that it was just a silly story. 12 But Peter got up and he ran to the hole in the rock. He bent down and he looked inside. He saw only the long cloth that they had put round Jesus’ body. There was nothing else. So he went home again. He could not understand what might have happened.

Jesus shows himself to two disciples

13 Later on that same day, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village. The village was called Emmaus. It was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 15 While they were talking like this, Jesus himself came near to them. He started to walk along with them. 16 They saw him, but for some reason they did not recognize him. 17 Jesus asked them, ‘What are you talking about while you walk along the road?’

They stood still and they seemed sad. 18 One of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘Many things have happened in Jerusalem in the last few days. Are you the only visitor here that does not know about it?’ 19 Jesus asked them, ‘What things have happened?’

They replied, ‘The things that happened to Jesus who was from Nazareth. He was a prophet from God. He did many great things and he spoke powerful messages. God showed that his message was true. All the people believed him. 20 Then the leaders of the priests and our rulers took hold of him. They gave him to the Roman ruler. They said that he had done bad things and that he ought to die. So they killed him by fixing him to a cross. 21 But before that we had hoped that he would save the people of Israel. We hoped that he would make us free again.

There are other things too. Today is the third day since Jesus died. 22 After all this happened, some women in our group surprised us. Early this morning, they went to the place where Joseph had buried him. 23 But they did not find his body there. So they returned to us and said, “Some angels appeared to us. They have told us that Jesus is alive.” 24 So some people from our group went to the place where his body had been. They found everything just the same as the women had said. But they did not see Jesus.’

25 Jesus then said to them, ‘How silly you are! You are very slow to believe everything that God’s prophets said long ago 26 You should have known that the Messiah had to die. Only then would he return to heaven and show how great and powerful he is.’ 27 Jesus then began to explain to them what Moses and all God’s prophets had taught. He showed them what they wrote in the Bible about himself.

28 Then they came near to the village that the disciples were going to. It seemed that Jesus would continue his journey. 29 But they wanted him to stop there. They said to him, ‘Please stay in our home with us. It is getting late, and it will soon be night.’

So Jesus went into their house to stay with them. 30 He sat down to eat with them. He took the bread and he thanked God for it. He broke it into pieces and he gave some to them. 31 Then their eyes became clear and they recognized him. Immediately after that they could no longer see him. 32 They said to each other, ‘When he talked to us, it was like a fire that was burning inside us. We felt it while we were walking along the road. We also felt it when he was explaining God’s message in the Bible.’

33 They immediately got up and they returned to Jerusalem. There they found the 11 apostles and other people who were with them. 34 The people there gave the two disciples the news, ‘It is true! The Lord Jesus is alive again. He has appeared to Simon!’

35 Then the two disciples spoke to the whole group. They told what had happened to them on the road to their village. They told how they recognized Jesus when he broke the bread into pieces in their home.

Jesus appears to the group

36 While they were still speaking like that, Jesus himself stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’

37 But the whole group was very surprised and afraid. They thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 Jesus said to them, ‘You should not be so afraid. You seem to have trouble in your minds about what you are seeing. 39 Now look at my hands and my feet. It is really me! Touch me. Then you will know that I am not a spirit. A spirit does not have a body with skin and bones. You can see that I have a real body.’

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 This was such good news, they were very happy. But they could still not really believe it. So he asked them, ‘Do you have anything that I could eat?’ 42 They gave him a piece of fish that they had cooked. 43 While they were watching, he took it and he ate it.

44 Then he said to them, ‘I told you about these things while I was still with you. Everything that God’s servants wrote about me in the Bible had to happen. Moses wrote about me in his book of God’s Law. The prophets also wrote about me. The book called Psalms also tells about me. And now it has become true.’

45 Then he helped them to understand God’s message in the Bible. 46 He told them, ‘This is what it says there: The Messiah had to die. Then, after three days, he had to rise up and become alive again. 47 People in every country of the world must hear God’s message. They must stop doing wrong things and change how they live. When they do this, God will forgive them. He will forgive all the bad things that they have done. People need to tell this message about the Messiah in Jerusalem first, then tell people in other countries. 48 You are the people who have seen what has happened here. You must tell other people about it. 49 Now listen! I will send to you the gift that God my Father has promised to give to you. You must stay here in the city until this happens. Then the power of God will come from heaven and it will cover you.’

Jesus goes up to God in heaven

50 Then Jesus led the group of his disciples out of the city. They all went to a place near the village called Bethany. He held up his hands towards them all. He asked God to be good to them. 51 While he was praying for them like that, he went up away from them. God lifted him up to heaven. 52 The disciples praised Jesus for his great power. Then they returned to Jerusalem and they were all very happy. 53 All the time they were in God’s Great House and they were praising God.

I hope you have enjoyed and learned from reading the book of Luke this month.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

~Luke 1:68~

Wanda Smith went to visit with her daughter and await the arrival of a grandson. Knox was due Monday and arrived Saturday. Mother, baby, daddy, and grandmother are all fine and sharing lots of smiles.

Donald Alford will be in St. Tammany a little longer. He’s in room 380. He has a great attitude!

Barbara Elizabeth Sharp

July 07, 1943 – December 21, 2019

Barbara Elizabeth Sharp entered into eternal rest lovingly surrounded by her family on December 21, 2019. Barbara was born in McComb, MS and was 76 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton H. Sharp, Jr. M.D. and Lucille Guwang Sharp. She is survived by her two children, Charles “Chuck” Goodwin Schibler II and Becky Schibler Cooper, her brother, Clinton H. Sharp, III M.D. and her sister, Sally Sharp Schneider.

Friends and family are invited to attend the graveside service on Monday, December 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Amite Cemetery.

Lottie Moon Offering – 100% of your generous gifts provide missionaries the services they need to live among the unreached peoples they serve.

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Scripture Writing – Luke 2: 4-7

Luke 22

Judas agrees to catch Jesus

1 The Passover festival when the Jews eat flat bread was coming soon.

2 The leaders of the priests and the teachers of God’s Law wanted to kill Jesus. They were talking together about how they could do this. It was difficult because they were afraid of the people.

3 Then Satan began to live inside Judas Iscariot. Judas was one of Jesus’ 12 apostles. 4 He went to the leaders of the priests and he talked with them. The police that worked at God’s Great House were also there. Judas told them how he could give Jesus to them secretly. 5 They were very happy and they promised to give him money for this. 6 So Judas said that he would do it. Then he waited for the right moment to help them to take hold of Jesus. He wanted to do it when the crowd was not there with Jesus.

Jesus eats his last meal with his apostles

7 The day came for Jewish people to eat the meal of flat bread which has no yeast in it. They had to kill a young sheep for the Passover meal on that day. 8 So Jesus said to Peter and John, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us to eat. Then we can all come and eat it.’ 9 They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to prepare the meal?’

10 Jesus replied, ‘Listen. When you go into the city, a man will meet you. He will be carrying a jar of water. Follow him until he goes into a house. 11 You must then say to the master of that house, “Our Teacher sends this message to you: ‘Where is the room for visitors? I will eat the Passover meal there with my disciples.’ ” 12 The man will then show you a large room upstairs. It will have all that you need in it. Prepare the Passover meal there for us all.’

13 So Peter and John went into the city. They found everything that Jesus had told them about. So, they prepared the Passover meal.

14 When it was time to eat the meal, Jesus arrived. He sat down with his apostles to eat it. 15 He said to them, ‘I have wanted very much to eat this Passover meal with you. It has to happen before I die. 16 I tell you this: I will not eat another Passover meal in this world. Now it is a picture. But when God begins to rule in his kingdom, then this meal will become completely real. I will eat it again then.’

17 Then Jesus took a cup and he thanked God for the wine. ‘Take this cup,’ he said to them. ‘Each of you drink some wine from it. 18 I tell you this. I will not drink wine again until God begins to rule in his kingdom.’

19 Then he took a loaf of bread and he thanked God for it. He broke the bread into pieces and he gave some of it to each of them. He said, ‘This is my body. I am giving it to save you. When you eat this meal from now on, remember me.’

20 Then after supper, Jesus took a cup of wine and did the same thing. He said to the disciples, ‘This cup shows the new promise that God makes because of my death. When I die, my blood will pour out of my body. I will do that for you. 21 But look! The person who will give me to the rulers is sitting at the table with me. His hand is eating the same food as I am. 22 The Son of Man must die in the way that God says. But it will be bad for the man who gives me to my enemies.’

23 The 12 apostles asked each other, ‘Who is the man that would do this thing?’

Jesus tells who is most important

24 Then the apostles began to argue among themselves. They were arguing about which of them seemed to be the most important. 25 Jesus said to them, ‘Kings of other countries use great authority over their people. Leaders of those countries want people to say good things about them. 26 You must not be like that. The most important person among you must become like the least important person. The person who is your leader must become like your servant. 27 Tell me, which person is the more important one? Is it the person who sits at the table to eat? Or is it the servant that puts out the meal for him? Yes, it is the person who sits at the table. But I am here to be your servant.

28 You have never left me. You have been by my side when trouble came to me. 29 So now I tell you that you will rule with me. My Father has said that I will rule with him in his kingdom. I also say to you that you will rule with me. 30 In my kingdom you will sit at my table. You will eat and drink with me. You will sit like kings on rulers’ chairs. You will judge the people of the 12 families of Israel.’

Jesus tells Peter what will happen

31 Jesus went on to say, ‘Simon, Simon, be careful to listen to me! Satan has asked to have authority over you all. He will shake you as a farmer shakes seeds. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that you will continue to believe in me. And this is what you must do: When you have turned back to me, you must help your brothers to be strong again.’

33 But Simon replied, ‘Master, I am ready to go to prison with you. I am even ready to die with you!’ 34 Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you this, Peter. Very soon, you will say that you do not know me. You will say that three times before the cockerel sings early tomorrow morning.’

35 Jesus then asked the disciples, ‘When I sent you out without a purse, a bag or shoes, did you need anything?’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘nothing.’

36 ‘Now it is different,’ he said. ‘If you have a purse or bag, you should take it with you. If you do not have a sword, sell your coat. Use the money to buy a knife. 37 Let me tell you why. Long ago people wrote in the Bible what must happen to me. It says, “People will think he is one of the bad people.” And this must happen to me soon, so that it becomes true.’

38 The disciples said, ‘Look, Master, we have two long sharp knives here.’ Jesus replied, ‘That is enough.’

Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives

39 Jesus left the city. He went to the hill called the Mount of Olives. This is what he usually did. His disciples went with him. 40 When they arrived there he said to them, ‘Ask God to help you, so that you do not want to do wrong things.’

41 Then he went away from them about as far as you can throw a stone. He went down on his knees and he prayed, 42 ‘Father, if you want, you can save me from this time of great pain. But I do not ask you to do what I want. Do what you want for me.’

[ 43 Then an angel came to him from heaven. The angel made him stronger. 44 Jesus began to have troubles in his mind. He prayed again even more strongly. His sweat became like blood and it fell to the ground.]

45 Then Jesus finished praying and he stood up again. He returned to the disciples. He saw that they were sleeping. They were very weak and tired because they were so sad. 46 ‘You should not be sleeping,’ he said. ‘Get up and pray! Ask God to help you, so that you do not want to do wrong things.’

The soldiers catch Jesus

47 While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd of people came towards him. Judas led the crowd to that place. He was one of the 12 apostles. He came near to Jesus to kiss him. 48 Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, why do you want to kiss me, the Son of Man? You are helping my enemies to take hold of me!’

49 The people near to Jesus saw what was happening. They asked him, ‘Lord, should we use our weapons to fight?’ 50 One of them hit the servant of the leader of the priests. He cut off the servant’s right ear. 51 ‘That is enough!’ Jesus said. He then touched the man’s ear and made him well again.

52 Then Jesus spoke to the people that had come to take hold of him. They were the leaders of the priests, and the leaders of the police in God’s Great House. Other important Jews were also there. He said to them, ‘You have come here with long sharp knives and heavy sticks. Do you really think that I am leading people to fight against our country’s rulers? 53 No! But I was with you every day in the yard of God’s Great House. You did not try to take hold of me then. But now really is the time and the place for you to work. Now it is a bad dark time, when the Devil has authority.’

Peter says that he does not know Jesus

54 Then they took hold of Jesus. They took him away and they brought him to the house of the leader of the priests. Peter was following them, but he did not go near Jesus. 55 People lit a fire in the yard of the house and they sat round it. Peter went and he sat with them. 56 A girl who worked there then saw Peter in the light from the fire. She looked carefully at him and she said, ‘This man also was a friend of Jesus.’ 57 Peter replied, ‘Woman, that is not true! I do not even know him.’

58 After a short time, someone else looked at him. ‘You also are one of their group,’ he said. Peter replied, ‘Man, I am not one of them.’

59 After about an hour, another man said, ‘I am sure that this man was a friend of Jesus. He also is from Galilee.’ 60 Peter replied, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ While Peter was still speaking, a cockerel sang loudly. 61 Then the Lord Jesus turned round and he looked at Peter. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him: ‘You will say tonight that you do not know me. You will say it three times before the cockerel sings in the morning.’

62 Then Peter went outside away from the house and he cried a lot.

The soldiers laugh at Jesus and they hit him

63 The men that were holding Jesus were laughing at him. They hit him many times. 64 They covered his eyes with a cloth and they said to him, ‘Show us that you are a prophet. Tell us who hit you!’ 65 And they said many other bad things against him.

The Jewish leaders ask Jesus questions

66 When it became day, the Jewish leaders met together. The leaders of the priests and the teachers of God’s Law were at the meeting. Then other men brought Jesus to stand in front of them. 67 They asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah? If you are, tell us.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do tell you, you will not believe me. 68 I could also ask you a question. But if I do that, you will not answer me. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be sitting in the most important place. He will be sitting at the right side of the Most Powerful God.’

70 ‘So, are you the Son of God?’ they all said. Jesus replied, ‘You say that I am.’

71 Then they said, ‘We do not need anyone else to speak against this man. We ourselves have heard what he has said about himself.’

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will be serving breakfast this morning at 8 A.M. Join them as they again help a family with a need.

Don’t forget “The Greatest Story Ever Told” presented by the adult choir of FBC, Kentwood tonight at 6 P.M.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“The vision will still happen at the appointed time.

It hurries toward its goal.

It won’t be a lie.

If it’s delayed, wait for it.

It will certainly happen.

It won’t be late”

~Habakkuk 2:3 GW~

God is always right on time!

Eli Neyland‘s ear surgery has been postponed because the doctor had a family emergency on the day he was scheduled to do Eli’s surgery. Eli is now scheduled for December 26h.

Smiley Conerly will be going back to learn more from his doctor on the 27th. Keep Smiley in your prayers.

Buddy Morris had his nuclear stress test yesterday and is waiting gor the results to be read and shared.

Donald Alford is waiting for lung biopsy results at St. Tammany. He and his family will appreciate your prayers.

Reese Birch who grew up in the New Zion area needs our continued prayers.

Amanda shared Amy’s obituary.

I’ve dreaded writing these words for a week now… my beautiful sister, Amy Lewis Lobre, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2019. this has been the hardest week of my entire life. thank you to everyone who has called, messaged me and reached out to me to offer their condolences and sympathy. i appreciate each and every one of you and i’m sorry i haven’t responded to any messages but I just haven’t been able to talk, please understand. the stories you all have shared with me about Amy have given me the strength and courage I’ve needed to get through this past week. please keep them coming, we’ve still got a long road ahead of us. i’m asking each and every one of you to keep my family in your prayers, especially our sweet Mama, Becky Raborn Davidson.

Amy’s services will be held at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite, Louisiana on Friday, December 20th from 4pm until 6pm. I welcome everyone to come celebrate my sister’s life with us and remember all the amazing things about “Nurse Amy”! she was one of a kind and to know her was to love her and to love her was nothing shy of a wild and crazy rollercoaster ride… that’s my big seesterrr. ♥️ #rollonrollercoaster #NurseAmy 😇

Scripture Writing – Luke 1: 35-38

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – For those who choose to give via using a card, here is a link.

https://www.imb.org/give-now/?projectid=f9lmco

Luke 19

Zacchaeus meets Jesus

1 Jesus went into Jericho and he was walking through the city. 2 There was a man there called Zacchaeus. He was a leader of the men who took taxes on behalf of the government. He had become very rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was. There was a big crowd there and he was a small man. So he could not see Jesus. 4 He ran on in front of the crowd and he climbed up a tree. He could see Jesus more easily from the tree, because Jesus would walk along that way. 5 When Jesus came to the tree, he looked up at Zacchaeus. He said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down quickly. Today I must stay in your home.’

6 So Zacchaeus came down immediately and took Jesus into his home. He was very happy about this. 7 The people saw what had happened. They were not happy, and they were saying, ‘Jesus has gone to stay in the home of a man that does bad things.’

8 Later, Zacchaeus stood up in front of everyone. He said to the Lord Jesus, ‘Listen, Master! I will give half of all the things that I have to poor people. I may have taken too much money from some people. I will give back to them four times as much as I took from them wrongly.’

9 Jesus said to him, ‘Today God has saved people in this home. Now Zacchaeus also belongs to the family of Abraham. 10 I, the Son of Man, came to look for people who are far away from God. They are in danger and I have come to save them.’

Jesus tells a story about 10 servants

11 While the people were still listening, Jesus told them a story. He did this because the people had wrong thoughts. He was now getting near to Jerusalem. So the people with him were thinking that God would begin to rule his people immediately.

12 Jesus said to them, ‘An important man left his home and he travelled a long way to another country. There he would receive authority to rule his own country. After that, he would return home and he would be king. 13 Before he left, he asked 10 of his servants to come to him. He gave each of them 10 pounds of silver. “Use this money to get more money for me while I am away,” he said.

14 But the people who were living in his country did not like the man. So, they sent some of their people to the foreign country with a message. They said, “We do not want this man to rule over us.”

15 Then the man returned home and he was now their king. He asked those 10 servants to come to him. He had given them each some money. Now he wanted to know how much more money they had now. They should have bought things with it and then they should have sold those things again for more money.

16 The first servant came to him and said, “Master, your money has made 10 more pounds for you.” 17 The king was happy and said to his servant, “You have done well. You are a good servant that I can trust. You have used a small amount of money well. So now you will rule over 10 cities.”

18 The second servant came and said, “Master, your money has made five more pounds.” 19 The king replied, “You will rule over five cities.”

20 Then another servant came. He said, “Master, here is your money. I put it away in a piece of cloth to keep it safe. 21 I did this because I was afraid of you. You tell people what they should do all the time. You take things that you did not work for. You take food from fields where you did not plant any seed.”

22 The king replied, “You are a very bad servant! I will use your own words to show you that you have done the wrong thing. You say that I tell people what they should do all the time. That I take things that I did not work for. That I take food from fields where I did not plant any seed. Did you know all that about me? 23 Then you should have put my money into the bank. When I came home, I would have received my money back, with extra money.”

24 Some other servants were standing near to their master. He said to them, “Take the money from this bad servant. Give it to the servant that has 10 pounds.” 25 “But, master,” they replied, “that servant has 10 pounds already.”

26 “Let me tell you this,” the king said. “Some people have received good things. They will all receive more. Some other people have nothing. Those people will lose even the little bit that they do have. 27 Now I must punish these other people that did not want me to rule over them. Bring them here and kill them in front of me.” ’

Jesus goes into Jerusalem

28 When Jesus had said all this, he went on in front of them. He was going towards Jerusalem. 29 He was getting near to two villages called Bethphage and Bethany. They were on the hill called the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus sent two of his disciples to go on. 30 He told them, ‘Go into the village that is in front of you. When you arrive there, you will find a young donkey. Someone has tied it there. Nobody has yet ridden on it. Undo the rope and bring the donkey here to me. 31 Someone may ask you, “Why are you taking the donkey?” If they do, tell them, “The Master needs it.” ’

32 The two men went into the village. They saw everything there that Jesus had told them about. 33 While they were taking the young donkey, some men spoke to them. It was their own donkey. They asked, ‘Why are you taking the donkey?’ 34 ‘The Master needs it,’ the disciples replied.

35 They brought the donkey to Jesus. They put their coats on its back. Then they helped Jesus to sit on it. 36 While he was riding along, the people were putting their coats down on the road in front of him.

37 Jesus got near to the lowest part of the hill called the Mount of Olives. The whole crowd of his disciples were very happy. They began to praise God with loud voices. They thanked him for all the great things that they had seen. 38 They said:

‘Great is the king that comes with the authority of the Lord God!

We want all to be well in heaven. We praise our powerful God above!’

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, stop your disciples from saying these things.’

40 ‘Let me tell you this,’ Jesus replied. ‘If these people were quiet, the stones of the city would shout out instead!’

41 When Jesus got near to the city, he looked at it. He cried because he felt very sorry for the people in it. 42 He said, ‘You need to know what would really help you. Then you could have lived without trouble. But now, you are unable to understand properly. 43 As a result, days of trouble will come to you. Your enemies will build a wall round you. They will shut you in completely, and they will not let you leave. 44 So your enemies will kill you without pity. They will completely destroy your city and all the people who live in it. They will not leave even one stone on top of another stone. You did not understand that God had come to save you at this time. That is why these bad things will happen to you.’

Jesus teaches in God’s Great House

45 Jesus went into the yard of God’s Great House. Some people were selling things there. He began to make them all leave that place. 46 He said to them, ‘The Bible says, “God’s house will be a place where people come to pray.” But you have changed it into a place where robbers meet.’

47 Jesus was teaching every day in God’s Great House. The leaders of the priests and teachers of God’s Law wanted to kill him. Some other important people also wanted to kill him. 48 But all the people were listening to him very well. They wanted to hear everything that he was saying. So, those leaders did not know how they could kill him.

Spread some Christmas cheer today. Help someone to learn about the reason we are celebrating Christmas.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.”

~Galatians 6:9 TLB~

Please pray for my friend Elaine Smith who was admitted to OLOL yesterday. It seems she needs a heart procedure. Please for for the medical staff caring for her and for her family as they await final results.

Please pray for David’s brother, Donald “Red” Alford. He was admitted to the hospital Saturday night and had two liters of fluid drained from around his heart. He is now undergoing tests to see what caused his problem. Donald is in St. Tammany Hospital in Covington.

David was blessed with another blood level of 10 yesterday. He did not need/get procrit. He will return next week for another blood test to determine the need for procrit.

Macy Lee, daughter of Tim and Becky, will be having gall bladder surgery at North Oaks at 9:30 this morning. Macy has lost 50 pounds in the last few months without trying to lose weight. She has been a sick young lady. Pray for her to feel much better soon. Doctors have found some other issues which are also being addressed. May they discover all the answers and have Macy feeling better soon.

Rev. David Luce is one of the many people who had to deal with a tornado yesterday in Mississippi. He was home alone at the time. His wife is fine. The house is standing, but heavily damaged. The last report I had from his daughter, Debbie Clark, is that he was in the emergency room. (I’m assuming that to be in McComb.) . They lived in Amite County.

The Dallas Operation Christmas Child processing center has processed 1,004,788 shoeboxes! Yeah! Praise the Lord! Thank-you to all the packers!

Today I want to share three obituaries.

GLENDA BATTLES BOOTH

2nd Timothy 4: 7-9

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing. Personal Concerns 9 Make every effort to come to me soon;

On December 15, 2019, Glenda Battles Booth passed at her home in Pumpkin Center. Glenda was surrounded by her loves- George Booth; Matthew, Samantha and Kaydance. Glenda knew it was time to go to her eternal home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Glenda was born on March 9, 1957 in Magnolia, Mississippi, along with her sister Linda. As twins, they had a special bond throughout their life. Glenda graduated from Amite High School and SLU. She retired from the Department of Health and Hospitals.

She married her love George Booth on October 26, 1985. They shared love and passion throughout their married life. Glenda often said there was never a dull moment with George. He even kept her laughing throughout the many treatments! George was her Rock! They were blessed with children Matthew Booth and Samantha B. Verneuil, and granddaughter Kaydance Grace Verneuil.

Glenda is survived by her husband George Booth; children, Matthew Booth and Samantha B. Verneuil; granddaughter, Kaydance Grace; siblings, Judy Smith (Larry), June Doughty (Jerry), Robert Battles (Mary), Margie Davis (Gerald) and Linda Reynolds (Jerry); and brother in law and sister in law, Olen Booth and Kathryn Booth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Geraldine Battles; grandparents Nathan and Lucile Battles and Merritt and Berta Allen; and her father in law and mother in law, George Sr. and Bobbie Booth.

The family gives special thanks to Dr. Greg Allen and UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock Arkansas.

Visitation for Family and Friends will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd, Hammond, Louisiana, 70401. Visitation will resume on Thursday, December 19, 2019 from 12:00 pm until the Funeral Service begins at 1:30 pm, at Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, Louisiana, 70401.

Interment will follow at Fendelson Cemetery in Folsom, Louisiana.

(Glenda was one of my students when I did student teaching many years ago.)

Daniel Hardy “DH” Goldsby Jr.

Friday, December 13th, 2019

Daniel Hardy Goldsby, Jr. “DH”, 79, a resident of Jackson, LA, died on Friday, December 13, 2019. He was a barber for almost 60 years in Jackson, Louisiana. He sincerely enjoyed visiting with each of his customers, and on occasion would sit outside of the barbershop waving to those passing by on the street. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve. D.H.,as he was known by everyone, was an avid outdoorsman and loved dancing and cooking. There will be a visitation at the Jackson United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 19, 2019, from 10am until funeral services at 1pm, conducted by Rev. Chris Curry and Pastor Mike Clark. There will be a 3pm graveside service at the Amite Memorial Gardens. He is survived by his son, Daniel Hugh Goldsby and his wife Mary Ann Goldsby, of Amite, LA; sister, Barbara Labatut of Gretna, LA; brother Noel Goldsby and wife Lena of Baton Rouge, LA; two grandchildren, Hardy Goldsby and Mallory Crouch. Also survived by stepchildren Patrick Herring and wife Kristi, Stephen Herring, and Dana Dileo. He was preceded in death by his wife of 19 years, Adele Goldsby, granddaughter Caroline Crouch, and parents, Daniel Hardy Goldsby Sr. and Eunice Goldsby. Pallbearers will be William Sherman, Jr., Jeffrey Boudreaux, Charles Wall, Jr., Jason Johnston, C. Kenneth Sherman, Patrick Herring, Keith Cox, and honorary pallbearer Billy Allen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tunica Methodist Church or the Jackson Methodist Church.

Joseph Anthony Pepitone

Hammond, Louisiana

Feb 7, 1938 – Dec 15, 2019 (Age 81)

Joseph Anthony Pepitone, age 81 of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2019, at his residence. He was born on Monday, February 7, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Joseph is survived by his daughter & son-in-law, Jackie Pepitone Mitchell and Randy Mitchell, daughter & son-in-law, Stacey Pepitone Schroeder and Mike Schroeder, daughter & son-in-law, Dawn Pepitone Ekker and Curtis Ekker, daughter & son-in-law, Keli Pepitone Pisciotta and Greg Pisciotta, son & daughter-in-law, Terry Michael Pepitone and Diane Pepitone, grandchildren, Stephen, Brent, Shanna, Ashley, Chad, Sara, Shelby, Zachary, Christopher, Nicholas, Stephanie, Jeremy, Ryan, Jake and Rahael, great-grandchildren, Jude, Harvey, Harper, Manning, Hudson, Logan, Landry, Wesley, Anna, Alexis, Lily, Grayson and Mayson. Siblings,
Albert Pepitone, Rita Charbonnet, Danny Pepitone, Brenda Lipscomb, Wayne Pepitone, and Cathy Dugas.

He was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Josephine Nuccio Pepitone, brother, William “Buck” Pepitone, his sisters Eugenia “Sis” Ritter and Dot Lemoine; nieces Danita Pepitone and Kim Robillard; his nephews, Ronny and Billy Pepitone.

Family and friends will be received at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 255 North 8th Street Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454, on Thursday, December 19, 2019 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am.

Services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, on Thursday, at 11:00 am, with Fr. Cayet Mangriacina officiating.

Interment will follow at Wetmore Cemetery.

The family request donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/

(His son’s family members are special friends to us from our “Ponchatoula shop” days.)

Lottie Moon – Giving $350 is enough for a translation of one Bible story into sign language

Scripture writing for today – Like 1: 25-29

Luke 17

1 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Some bad things in this world will make other people do wrong things. You can be sure about that. But God will punish anyone who makes these bad things happen. 2 These other people may not seem to be important. But you must not make them do wrong things. Do not do that! It would be better if someone tied a big stone round your neck, and then he threw you into the sea.

3 Be careful how you live. If your Christian brother does something wrong, speak to him. Tell him that he has done a bad thing. He may say, “I am sorry for what I did. I will not do it again.” If he says that, you must forgive him. 4 Your brother may do a bad thing to you seven times in one day. He may turn to you each time and say, “I am sorry for what I did. I will not do it again.” If he does that, you must forgive him every time.’

5 The apostles said to the Lord Jesus, ‘Help us to believe more and more in God.’

6 The Lord replied, ‘You may believe in God only a very little bit, like a very small seed. Even if you only believe that little bit, you could say to this tree, “Pull yourself out of the ground and plant yourself in the sea.” Then the tree would obey you.

7 Think about this. You may have a servant that is ploughing your land. Or you may have a servant that is taking care of your sheep. When he comes in from his work in the evening, you would not say to him, “Sit down and eat.” 8 No, you would not say that. You would say to your servant, “Prepare my meal for me. Dress yourself properly and bring the food to me. I will eat and drink first. You can eat when I have finished.” 9 Servants should do what their masters tell them to do. When they do that, their masters do not need to thank them. 10 It is the same with you. The Master tells you what you should do. So when you have done all of it, you should say, “We are not special servants. We have only done what we should do.” ’

Ten men that had a bad illness of the skin

11 On his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus was travelling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 When he was going into a village, 10 men came towards him. These men had a bad illness of the skin. They stopped and stood a long way away from Jesus. 13 They shouted, ‘Jesus, Master, please be kind to us.’

14 Jesus saw them and said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’

While they were going on their way, they became well again. 15 One of these 10 men saw that Jesus had made him well. He turned back and he praised God in a loud voice. 16 He went down on his knees in front of Jesus and thanked him. This man was from Samaria.

17 Then Jesus said, ‘I made 10 men well again, didn’t I? There should be another nine men somewhere! 18 But only this one man came back to thank God. And he is a foreign man from Samaria!’

19 Then Jesus spoke to the man. ‘Stand up and go on your way. You believed in me, so now you are really well.’

Jesus talks about the time when God will rule

20 Then some Pharisees asked Jesus a question. ‘When will the kingdom of God begin here?’

Jesus replied, ‘When God begins to rule here, people will not see it with their eyes. 21 Nobody will say, “Look everyone! God is ruling here,” or “Look! God is ruling over there.” No, it is not like that. God is already ruling in the lives of his people.’

22 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The time will come when you will very much want to see me, the Son of Man, return to the earth. But you will not see that day. 23 People may say to you, “Look, there he is!” or “Here he is!” But do not go out with them to look. 24 When lightning shines, it quickly makes the whole of the sky light from one side to the other. It will be like that on the day when the Son of Man returns. 25 But before this happens, the people of today will refuse to accept me. And I will feel much pain.

26 Remember what happened when Noah was alive. It will be like that at the time when the Son of Man returns to the earth. 27 In Noah’s time, people were eating their meals every day. Men and women continued to marry. They continued to do all this until the day when Noah went into his boat. Then it rained for a long time and there was deep water everywhere. The water killed all the people.

28 The same kind of thing happened when Lot was alive. People in the city called Sodom were eating their meals every day. They were buying and selling things. They were planting their seeds and they were building their houses. 29 But one day Lot went away from Sodom. On that same day, God caused it to rain fire and burning stones from the sky. This killed all the people in Sodom.

30 It will happen quickly like that, on the day when I, the Son of Man, show myself clearly. 31 On that day, a person who is up on the roof of his house must not go back down into the house. He must not get his things that are inside the house to take with him. In the same way, people that are working outside in their fields must not go back to their homes. 32 Remember what happened to Lot’s wife.

33 Whoever wants to keep his own life safe will lose it. But whoever gives his life to serve me will have true life. 34 I tell you this. At that time, two men will be sleeping in one bed. God will take one of them away but he will leave the other man behind. 35-36 Two women will be preparing food together in the same place. God will take one of them away but he will leave the other one behind.’

37 Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where will this happen?’ Jesus replied, ‘If a dead body is lying somewhere, vultures will come together in that place.’

Today, the is the “Young” Ladies Birthday Party at The Cafe at 11:00 A.M.

Remember the reason for the holiday we are celebrating this month.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

~Matthew 25:40~

Charles Howell McGregor

December 24, 1939 – December 06, 2019

A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2019 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg, LA. He was born December 24, 1939 in Clarksdale, MS and was 79 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Brecheen McGregor; daughter, Dawn McGregor Bridges and husband, Oscar; son, Jay Michael McGregor and wife, Lisa; step-sons, Gary Conleay and wife, Emily, Randy Conleay and wife, Debra, and Justin Lehmann and wife, Courtney; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy McGregor Bourgeois; former son in law, Clayton Blades. Preceded in death by his parents, Prentiss and Thelma McGregor; son, Mark Howell McGregor; step-daughter, Audrey Conleay Lehmann; grandsons, Hunter McGregor and Aaron Cole Lehmann; sister, Marteen McGregor Ainsworth; and a special niece, Kim Brun. Special thanks to Diontrinise “Mooky” Westbias and the staff at St. Helena Parish Hospital. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Thursday and from 8:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, December 13, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Burdette Thomas. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. Pallbearers will be Warren Hovis, Josh Conleay, Cody Waller, Quincy Hodges, III, Evan Lynn and Robert Strickland. Honorary Pallbearers will be Logan McGregor and Ryan McGregor. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

The annual Lottie Moon Tea is TODAY!

Spring Creek Baptist Church
2:00 P.M.
Be inspired by the life of a great missionary lady in China.
Get in the Christmas spirit with carols.
Enjoy sitting at a beautifully decorated table.
See wonderful friends from throughout our association.

Scripture Writing – December 7 – Jeremiah 33: 14-16

LMCO – Day 7 – https://montgomeryfbc.org/2019-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-week-of-prayer-day-7/

Special December Bible Reading – Luke 7

A Roman officer believes that Jesus can help him

1 After Jesus had finished speaking to the people, he went to Capernaum. 2 A Roman officer there had a servant that he liked very much. The servant was very ill and he was dying.

3 The officer heard about Jesus, so he sent some important Jews to speak to him. ‘Please go to Jesus,’ he said to them. ‘I would like him to make my servant well. Ask him if he would come to do that.’ 4 The Jewish leaders went to Jesus. They asked him, ‘Please would you do something to help this Roman officer. 5 He loves the Jewish people. He himself built a meeting place for us.’

6 So, Jesus went with them. When he was not very far away from the house, the officer sent some friends to talk to him. He told them to say to Jesus, ‘Sir, I do not want to be a trouble to you. I am not good enough for you to come into my house. 7 That is why I did not come to talk to you myself. Instead, just say that my servant will get better. I know that he will then be well again. 8 In my work, someone has authority over me. I also have authority over other soldiers. I say to one soldier, “Go!” and he goes. I say to another one, “Come!” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this!” and he does it.’

9 When Jesus heard this message from the officer, he was very surprised. He turned towards the crowd that was following him. He said to them, ‘I tell you, I have not found anyone like this man in all of Israel. Nobody else believes in me as well as he does.’

10 The friends of the officer then returned to his house. When they arrived there, they saw that the servant was well again.

Jesus makes a dead man alive again

11 The next day, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large group of other people went with him. 12 When he had almost reached the gate of the town, lots of people were coming out. They were carrying a dead man on a mat. They were going to bury him. His mother had no other sons and her husband was also dead. A large crowd of people from the town were going with her.

13 When the Lord Jesus saw her, he felt very sorry for her. He said to her, ‘Do not cry.’ 14 He went to the box and he touched it. The people who were carrying the box stopped. Jesus said, ‘Young man, I am telling you, get up!’ 15 Immediately, the dead man sat up and he began to talk. Jesus then gave him back to his mother.

16 Everyone there was very afraid. They praised God and said, ‘A great prophet of God has appeared among us. God has come to save his people!’

17 This news about Jesus went all through Judea. The people in the places that were near there also heard about it.

Jesus talks about John the Baptist

18 Then some disciples of John the Baptist went to visit him in prison. They told him about all the things that Jesus was doing. So John chose two of them to go to the Lord Jesus for him. 19 He said to them, ‘I want you to ask Jesus, “Are you the special person that God is sending to us? If not, should we still look for someone else?” ’

20 So the two men came to Jesus. They said to him, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you. He wants us to ask you, “Are you the special person that God is sending to us? If not, should we still look for someone else?” ’

21 At that time, Jesus was making many people well. They had many different illnesses. Some had bad spirits in them. Jesus also caused many blind people to see again. 22 Then he said to the two men that John had sent, ‘Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen. Tell him what you have heard. Blind people can now see again. People that could not walk can now walk again. People who had a bad illness of the skin are now well again. Deaf people can now hear again. People who had died now live again. Poor people are hearing God’s good news. 23 If anyone believes in me and does not turn away, he will be really happy.’

24 The two disciples of John then left. Jesus spoke to the crowd about John. He said to them, ‘You went out to the wilderness. What did you go there to see? Was it a tall piece of grass which the wind was blowing this way and that? No, you did not go to see that. 25 So, did you go to see a man who was wearing expensive clothes? No! People like that do not live in the wilderness. They have many beautiful things and they live in great houses. 26 So, what did you go to see? Did you go to see a prophet sent by God? Yes! But I tell you, John was even more important than a prophet. 27 This is what they wrote about him a long time ago in the Bible, when God said:

“Listen! I will send someone to go in front of you.

He will speak my message.

He will prepare a way for you.” ’

28 Jesus also said to the people, ‘I tell you, John is greater than any person who has ever lived up to now. But now anyone who belongs in the kingdom of God is greater than John, even the least important of them.’

29 Many people heard what Jesus said. Even the men who took taxes on behalf of the government agreed with his message. They had asked John to baptize them. They all said, ‘What God says about us is right.’ 30 But the Pharisees and the men that studied God’s Law did not want John to baptize them. They did not believe the message that God was giving to them.

31 Jesus continued to teach. He said, ‘I will talk to you about the people that are alive today. I will tell you what they are like. 32 They are like children who are sitting in the market place. They are playing games. They shout to other children,

“We made happy music on a flute for you,

but you did not dance.

Then we sang a sad song but you did not cry.”

33 You are like those children. When John the Baptist came, he often did not eat food for a time. He never drank wine. So you say that John has a bad spirit in him. 34 Then I, the Son of Man, came. I both eat and I drink. So you say about me, “Look at this man! He eats too much and he drinks too much. He is a friend of bad people and men who take taxes on behalf of the government.” 35 But God is wise and good. Wise people understand and they show that God is right.’

A woman pours expensive oil on Jesus

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat a meal with him. So Jesus went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat. 37 In that town was a woman who had done many wrong things. She heard that Jesus was eating a meal at the house of the Pharisee. So she took a small stone jar with oil in it, and she went there. The oil had a very nice smell. 38 She went into the house and she stood behind Jesus. She was crying and she made his feet wet with her tears. Then she made his feet dry again with her hair and she kissed them. She then poured the oil out of the jar on to his feet. 39 When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, ‘This man cannot be a prophet from God. If he were, he would know all about this woman. He would know that she is a very bad person. He would not let her touch him.’

40 Jesus said to him, ‘Simon, I want to tell you something.’ Simon replied, ‘Yes, Teacher, tell me.’ So Jesus told him a story about two men:

41 ‘Someone had lent two men some money. He had lent one of them 500 silver coins. He had lent the other one 50 coins. 42 Neither of the men had enough money to pay him back. Then the man that had lent them the money forgave them. “You do not need to pay back my money,” he said to them both.’

Jesus then asked Simon, ‘Which of these two men will love that man most?’ 43 Simon replied, ‘I think that it is the man that needed to pay back the most money.’

‘You are right,’ Jesus said. 44 Then he turned towards the woman. ‘You see this woman,’ he said to Simon. ‘When I came into your house, you did not give me water for my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and she has dried them with her hair. 45 You did not say “Hello” to me with a kiss. But this woman began to kiss my feet when she came in. And she has not stopped. 46 You did not put oil on my head. But she has brought oil with a nice smell and put it on my feet. 47 So I tell you, this woman has done many bad things. But I have forgiven them. She loves me a lot, because I have forgiven her a lot. If I only forgive someone a little, that person only loves me a little.’

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘Woman, I forgive you for all the bad things that you have done.’

49 The other people at the meal talked among themselves. They said, ‘Who is this man? Can he really forgive the bad things that people have done?’

50 Jesus said to the woman, ‘You have believed in me, so God has saved you. You may go now, and be happy.’

Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Tea!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,

obeyed and went,

even though he did not know where he was going.”

~Hebrews 11:8 NIV~

Josiah Huckaby (written by his mom)

This boy was quite the little character last night! I was able to get a couple of videos of him “talking”. Shaking his head NO is definitely a favorite activity. He’s getting better at 1 syllable sounds (mostly yeah but he has started making some consonant sounds) & I even got “da” out of him last night.

Since his vent pressures are still a bit too high for him to start working with a speak valve (which changes the airflow so that air can pass over his vocal cords allowing him to talk with a trach), we have an evaluation next week to see if he qualifies for an AAC device to help him communicate his wants & needs with us while he is technically non-verbal. It will most likely be some type of tablet with special software that allows him to pick from several options on a grid. We are really excited about this opportunity!!!

Willie Hebert is my cousin Fran’s husband. He has been having some health issues lately and will be having some important tests on the 12th and 13th. Please pray for Willie and Fran.

Floyd Fowler continues to have issues with pneumonia. Pray for him and his doctor as he works for a solution.

John Truman Causey

December 31, 1930 – December 03, 2019

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at The Carpenter House in Baton Rouge, LA. He was born December 31, 1930 in Kentwood, LA and was 88 years of age. He was a U.S. Army Veteran during Korea. He was a dairy farmer, worked for the State of Louisiana in the Office of Motor Vehicles, and served as a bailiff for Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was a mason in the Spring Creek Masonic Lodge and a member and former Deacon for East Fork Baptist Church. He is survived by 3 nieces, Laurie G. Speed, Rae Lynn G. Simeon and Leslie G. Colvin; sister-in-laws, May Hoppe, Patty McDaniel and Nita McDaniel; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Margie McDaniel Causey; parents, Derrick and Carrie Adams Causey; 2 sisters, Ruby May Gill and Ada Causey. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Friday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 10:30AM on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Ernest Graham. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Mr John and “Miss” Margie were camping friends with my parents for many years. We called momma, “Momma Dot”. Since my momma passed away, Mr. John has called me “Momma Dot”. He wasn’t confused, just letting me know seeing me reminded him of my momma. By the way, I don’t look like her.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Tea will be Saturday at Spring Creek Baptist Church at 2 P.M. Ladies, young to old, are invited to join in the special day.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

https://montgomeryfbc.org/2019-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-week-of-prayer-day-5/

Luke 5

Jesus asks some men to go with him

1 One day, Jesus was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret. A crowd was pushing to get near to him. They were listening to him. He was speaking God’s message to them.

2 Jesus saw two fishing boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left the boats there and they were now washing their nets.

3 One of the boats belonged to Simon. Jesus climbed into it. He asked Simon to push it away from the shore. Jesus sat in the boat and he started to teach the people.

4 When Jesus finished teaching, he said to Simon, ‘Now take the boat out into deep water. Then put the nets into the water to catch some fish.’

5 Simon replied, ‘Teacher, we worked all last night and we did not catch anything. But because you say it, I will put the nets into the water again.’ 6 So they went and they put the nets down into the water. When they did that, they caught many fish. There were so many fish that the nets began to break. 7 So Simon shouted to the other fishermen that worked with him. ‘Come here!’ he said, ‘We need you.’ When they saw that, the men came in their boat. They filled both boats with the fish. There were so many fish that the boats began to go down under the water. 8 When Simon saw all the fish, he went down on his knees in front of Jesus. ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I am a bad man. So please go away from me.’

9 Simon said this because he was very surprised. He was surprised because they had caught so many fish. His friends in the other boat were also very surprised. 10 James and John were very surprised too. They were Zebedee’s sons and they worked with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid. You have been catching fish. From now on you will catch people!’

11 After that, they went and they pulled their boats up on the shore. Then they left everything behind and they went with Jesus.

A man with a bad illness of his skin

12 One day, Jesus was in a certain town. A man with a bad illness of the skin was there.

When the man saw Jesus, he threw himself down on the ground in front of him. He said, ‘Sir, if you want, you can make me well again. Please do it.’

13 Jesus put out his hand towards the man and he touched him. He said, ‘I do want to help you. Be clean again!’ Immediately, the illness left the man. 14 ‘Do not tell anyone about this,’ Jesus said to him. ‘Instead, go and show yourself to the priest. Take a gift to him for God. Moses taught the people what gift to take to God when they are clean again after this kind of illness. This will show everyone that you are now well again.’

15 After this, more and more people started to hear the news about Jesus. Crowds were coming to hear him teach. Sick people also wanted him to make them well. 16 But Jesus would often go away from the crowd to pray in quiet places.

Jesus makes well a man that cannot walk

17 One day, while Jesus was teaching in someone’s house, many people were sitting there. Some of them were Pharisees. Other people were teachers of God’s Law. They had come from many villages in Galilee, and from Judea and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was there with Jesus to make sick people well.

18 Then some men arrived. They were carrying a man on a mat. The man could not walk or move his legs. They tried to get into the house, because they wanted to bring the man to Jesus. 19 But the house was full of people, and they could not get in. So, they carried the man on to the flat roof of the house. Then they made a hole in the roof. After that, they put the mat down through the hole. The man was still lying on it. He came down in the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. 20 Jesus saw them. He knew that they believed in him. So he said to the sick man, ‘My friend, I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.’

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of God’s Law were there. They heard what Jesus said. So they began to think among themselves, ‘Who is this man? He is speaking as if he is God. Only God can forgive people for the wrong things that they have done.’ 22 Jesus knew what these men were thinking. He told them, ‘You should not be thinking these things. 23 I said to this man, “I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.” Instead, I could have said to him, “Stand up and walk.” Which one is easier for me to say? 24 But I want you to know this. I, the Son of Man, have authority here on earth. I can forgive people for the wrong things that they have done.’

Then he said to the man who could not walk, ‘I am saying to you, “Stand up. Pick up your mat and go home!” ’

25 Immediately, the man stood up in front of them all. He picked up the mat that he had been lying on. He went home. He was praising God as he went. 26 What had happened surprised everyone. They said, ‘God is great and powerful! We have seen very strange and special things happen today.’

Jesus asks Levi to come with him

27 After this happened, Jesus went away from that house. He saw a man that took taxes from people on behalf of the government. He was working in his office. His name was Levi. Jesus said to him, ‘Come with me and be my disciple.’ 28 So Levi got up and he went with Jesus. He left everything behind.

29 Soon after this, Levi made a large meal for Jesus at his house. Many people also came and they were eating with them there. Many of these people also took taxes on behalf of the government. 30 Some Pharisees and teachers of God’s Law saw them there. So they said to Jesus’ disciples, ‘You eat and drink with these bad people and men who take taxes on behalf of the government. That is not right.’

31 Jesus answered them, ‘People who are well do not need a doctor. It is people who are ill that need a doctor. 32 Some people think that they always obey God. I have not come to help people like that. Some people know that they have done wrong things. I am asking those people to come to me for help. I want them to change how they live.’

33 Then the Jewish leaders said to Jesus: ‘The disciples of John the Baptist often stop eating food for a time. Then they can pray to God a lot. The disciples of the Pharisees also do that. But your disciples never do that. They continue to eat and drink every day.’

34 Jesus answered them, ‘When a man marries a wife, his friends cannot refuse to eat food at that time. Nobody can stop them from eating while he is with them. 35 But there will be a time when people will take that man away from his friends. Then they will stop eating food.’

36 Jesus told them this story: ‘Nobody tears a piece of cloth from a new coat to mend an old coat. If he does that, he will have torn the new coat. Also, the piece of cloth from the new coat will not look the same as the old coat.

37 And nobody pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does that, the new wine will tear the old wineskins. He will lose the wine and the wineskins will also spoil. 38 Instead, you must put new wine into new wineskins.

39 Also, nobody wants to drink new wine after he has drunk old wine. He will say, “The old wine is much better.” ’

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee